April 24, 2022 Congregational Meeting – 10:45 am
For our April congregational meeting, the Church Board is choosing to experiment with a new time and format. We’ve heard that our typical 1:00 pm time interrupts nap time for young families and sometimes overlaps with sports or other activities for families with older children. In our efforts to engage and accommodate younger families, we are following their suggestion of using our Sunday School hour; we will begin our meeting on April 24 at 10:45 am. We have also listened to those who feel our meetings include too much reporting and not enough discussion of important issues our congregation faces. Therefore, we are planning to have the meeting around round tables in Fellowship Hall. We are planning for light snacks and beverages as well.
We know this plan brings difficulties, particularly for Sunday School classes that have specific plans and lessons. We are sorry about these difficulties, and we hope we can all embrace this experimental change as our congregation works at being the church together.
This week at BCMC
Sunday, April 17, 2022—Easter Sunday
9:30 am Worship Service (in person and live streamed)
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
Children and youth Sunday School classes! 10:30-11:30 am
Preschoolers – Room B4 Middlers (3rd-8th graders) – Room 26
High School – Room 24 Koinonia (college students welcome!) – The Agape House The Agape Class will meet in Room B8
Adult Classes (If meeting): Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5);
Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Book Study (Rm 20); Open Circle (Room 21); Seekers (Rm 28); Sojourners (Chapel)
Monday, April 18, 2022 (Holiday for the staff of BCMC)
Church office will be closed; building will be locked
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
9-11 am Community Playschool
7 pm Women’s Fellowship Meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
7-8 pm Youth Group in the Gathering Place
7 pm Wednesday Night Club for 3rd to 8th Graders
7:30 pm Chancel Choir in the Sanctuary
Thursday, April 21, 2022
6:15 pm Chancel Bells in Room B7
7 pm Deacon Commission Meeting
5:30—7 pm Community Playschool Family Night in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, April 24—Holy Hilarity Sunday
9:30 am Worship Service (in person and live streamed)
10:30 am Faith Formation
10:45 am Congregational Meeting in Fellowship Hall
BCMC Offering for April 10, 2022 General Fund $15,397.94; MCC $50;Caring Fund $320; Living Stones $280; Flower Fund $55; Women’s Fellowship $50
There will be a memorial service for Larry Friesen, Saturday, April 16 at 3 pm in the BCMC Sanctuary. You are welcome to attend in person or view the service live-streamed through the BCMC website.
Church Retreat
Come one, come all – to the 2022 BCMC Camp Mennoscah Church Retreat! This year’s retreat is on May 7-8 (Mother’s Day Weekend), and we hope that you’ll be able to join us for some fun, fellowship, fishing, and festivities in the glory of God’s fantastic creation. Meals and lodging are both available, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. There won’t be worship in the BCMC building on May 8, so even if spending the night isn’t for you, please consider making the trip out on Sunday morning to worship – where we will hopefully be celebrating the act of baptism again.
If you have any questions or would like to help out in anyway, please reach out to Adam Robb (adamandjillrobb@gmail.com) and if you’re planning to attend, please use the link here https://forms.gle/FAhg5S Zorn’s rH6 to sign up! Thanks, and we hope to see you there!
Women’s Fellowship Announcement
April 19, 2022 @ 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall
Women of BCMC: It is time to gather! This is an invitation to ALL Women of BCMC. ALL who attend will receive a free birthday calendar. Contact a member of the Leadership Team (Lois Brubacher, Lois Preheim, Brenda Turner, Janet Voth) if you cannot attend, but would like a free birthday calendar. Birthday tables will have envelopes. Thank you in advance for your generosity in supporting WF ministries.
P.S.
Visit the COVID PROJECT table in the gathering space. Birthday Calendars are available to everyone for $10.00 from the Women’s Fellowship Leadership Team: Lois Brubacher, Lois Preheim, Brenda Turner, Janet Voth. Checks may be made to BCMC WF.
BCMC Library News
The current Library Theme is a timely topic, Stories from Ukraine. We have several books that are new to our Ukraine collection and should be added this week. Come check out what our library has to offer!
The Library Committee would like to extend our puzzle sale as a mini fundraiser to support the buying of more books! If you have a puzzle that is in excellent/very good condition, please consider donating it to the library and we will sell it for $5! Let’s rotate our jigsaw puzzles, have fun, and support the library!
Dr. John and Clara Schmidt – former members of Alexanderwohl and First Mennonite – were Mennonite medical pioneers in Paraguay, S.A (1941-2001). Their 60-year saga of service and adventure is now documented in a new book, CALLED. The authors, Marlena Fiol and Ed O’Connor, will share a behind-the-scenes look at what motivated them to write the book, where the seven years of research took them, and some of the reactions they’ve received to the book from a wide range of readers — including family members and leaders of the Mennonite Central Committee. Join this live virtual event via Zoom or watch on Facebook Live. Event is April 19 at 7 pm.
https://www.facebook.com/events/726332378727712/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%7D]%7D
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3RlXxVnSQ6e1pS17yjyvRg
https://www.newtonplks.org/news-and-events/library-happenings/
Note from Library Committee: There is a copy of Called in the BCMC Library
The McPherson Community Brass Choir under the Direction of Jerry Toews will give a Sunday afternoon Concert in The Church of the Brethren, 201 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS on Apr. 24 at 4pm. FREE and FUN. Everyone is invited.
BETHEL COLLEGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tues., April 19 – Bethel College Chamber Orchestra concert under the direction of Kris Hilding, 7:30 p.m., featuring works by Bartok, Bizet, Du Prez, Borge, Telemann and more; Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center (NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION).
Thurs., April 21 – Artist reception for the annual Student Art Exhibit, 6-8 p.m., Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. The exhibit features the work of 56 Bethel students, in a variety of media, and runs through May 6. Regular gallery hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Fri., April 22 – Junior recital by Bethel College student Bryce Wilson on soprano and alto saxophone, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
Sat., April 23 – Earth Day program at Kauffman Museum featuring falconer Nate Mathews, Wichita, with a bald eagle, 10:30 a.m., inside the museum (corner of North Main and 27th streets in North Newton)
Sun., April 24 – KIPCOR Film Series presents The Revolution Generation (before its theatrical release!), 2 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College; audience talkback led by Jacob Miller-Klugesherz to follow.
Sun., April 24 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Kayla Newman, brass, 4 p.m., Administration Building chapel
Mon., April 25 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert under the direction of Joel Boettger, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Sun., May 1 – Masterworks concert at Bethel College, 3 p.m., featuring the Bethel College Oratorio Chorus, orchestra and soloists performing Requiem by Mozart, and Gloria and For the Beauty of the Earth by John Rutter, directed by Dr. William Eash; Memorial Hall
Kauffman Museum at Bethel College is seeking, at three-quarter to full time, an organized, detail-oriented, creative individual to manage the museum’s bookkeeping and the museum store, plus other responsibilities as they align with the applicant’s qualifications related to the other five team members’ skills. For the job description and to apply, see
https://www.bethelks.edu/about/who-we-are/career-opportunities/current-position-openings/kauffman-museum-assistant
For more information, contact Andi Andres at asa@bethelks.edu or 316-283-1612.
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!
Save the date for Assembly! – July 29-31 WDC delegates, friends, and their families will gather at Camp Copass, Denton, TX. There will be lots of time for recreation for all ages, as well as sharing around tables about faith issues in our conference, congregations, and in our lives. Join us! More details coming soon.
The Western District Conference office and the 2022 WDC Annual Assembly planning team is wanting to get some information out and feedback from you about this year’s 2022 WDC Annual Assembly coming up on July 29-31 at Camp Copass in Denton, TX. If you could please use the following link to fill out a quick survey by April 21, we would very much appreciate it!
English version: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepWPNQv-lUGKnO33YDwVgLxiQrN7rjFyGN9XKbaTvbVGyLGg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Book Sale – The Western District Conference Resource Library in North Newton, KS will be hosting a Book Sale on Saturday, April 30 from 8am -12pm outside in front of the WDC building. There will be a large variety of donated books and books removed from circulation. Donations will be accepted for your selections. Hope to see you there!
How Can We Help? On April 21, 7 pm the WDC Immigration Task Force invites you to learn the latest on how to support new migrants and refugees near you and learn about how to join the mission of two organizations who have been working at refugee resettlement and immigration justice for many years. We will be glad to network briefly with each other about our congregation’s work in this area. Guest speakers will be Charity Stowell (MCC Newcomer Connections Coordinator) and Jen Rafter (International Rescue Committee Development Coordinator). To receive the Zoom link, please register by emailing wdc@mennowdc.org by April 20.
WDC Final Thursday Book Discussion
“Race is one of the hardest topics to discuss in America. Many White Christians avoid talking about it altogether. But a commitment to peacemaking requires White people to step out of their comfort and privilege and into the work of anti-racism. Dear White Peacemakers is an invitation to White Christians to come to the table and join this hard work and holy calling.” —from the back cover.
Join us to discuss dear white peacemakers by Osheta Moore via Zoom on Thursday, April 28 from 7:00-8:00pm. Contact the WDC Resource Library at crlib@mennowdc.org to register for the discussion or borrow a copy of the book.
NEWTON ET CETERA SHOP ANNOUNCEMENTS
Newton Et Cetera Shop invites organizations to apply for this year’s Local Giving Grants. Local Giving grants are made available by the Newton Et Cetera Shop board of directors. Application forms may be downloaded at newtonetceterashop.com/local-giving-fund/ and must be submitted by e-mail to localgiving@newtonetceterashop.com by April 25, 2022. Micro-grants will be awarded to selected groups in June 2022, in amounts up to $500.
Newton Et Cetera Shop invites you to become a volunteer! Help us to share God’s love with all creation by volunteering in clothing, clerking, recycling, linens, housewares or one of our other departments. If you’d like to join us, please call us at 316.283.9461 or attend one of our upcoming volunteer orientations to tell us what interests you: Saturday 4/23/22 11A-noon or Thursday 5/19/22 6-7 PM. We hope to hear from you soon!
Celebrate Earth Day at the Newton Et Cetera Shop! On Friday and Saturday afternoons, April 22 & 23, we’ll have activities to reduce our carbon footprints by fixing what we have! Check our facebook page (facebook.com/newtonetc) for details about our Earth Day weekend schedule.
CAMP MENNOSCAH ANNOUNCEMENTS
The summer staffers for 2022 are (alphabetical by first name) Ben Rudeen (music), Beth Balzer (crafts), Charlie Major (lifeguard plus…), Ethan Entz (unassigned), Harley McCormick (office), Jonah Schloneger (unassigned), Maddie Bollinger (lifeguard), and Schlyer Entz (lifeguard).
Summer Youth Camp scholarships are available. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or fill out the request form. Camp is for everyone!
Other events and happenings:
- April 23 is a Work and Play Day at Camp Mennoscah! We’re starting at 8:30am at the maintenance shed. A crew with dirt haulers/diggers and trucks is needed to complete the amphitheater project. We’d be thrilled to have you sign up! Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 to register or for more information.
- Camp Mennoscah is having a Verenike Casserole Fundraiser on April 30! If you enjoyed the meal last year, this will be very similar–more details will be coming soon! Meal: verenike casserole, seasoned green beans, zweiback, and fruit crisp.
- Nurses needed for Summer Youth Camps! Your time and skill give campers a week of growing in Christian fellowship and experiencing God’s great creation. Nurses need RN certification or equivalent. Nurses are needed for June 12-18, June 23-25, July 3-9, and July 24-29. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org
- Volunteer a day or more at camp! Bring a group or come by yourself and tackle a project at camp. See the attached project list for just a few ideas! Projects for all ages and sizes of groups are available. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org.
- Masks would be optional, if camp happened today. Campers would stay in cabins. Campers/staff who are not fully vaccinated would need to provide a negative COVID test. Call 620-297-3290 for more information. Scholarships available.
- Groups are invited to set their own precautions based on the comfort level of their group. Please note the RV electrical hookups are not available due to safety concerns.
- Camp staff work hours vary depending on scheduled events for the week. The office assistant also works part-time from home. (Whenever a group is at camp, a staff person will be on duty.) Thank you for understanding! We will be in touch as soon as possible.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MENNONITE CAMP ANNOUNCEMENTS
SPRUCE BEETLE PACKET WORKDAY APRIL 23TH – The effort to minimize the impact of the spruce beetle here at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp continues with the favorable trends we’ve seen of less beetles. Pheromone packets continue to be disbursed around camp to “communicate” to the beetles to go elsewhere. We need your help by signing up on the camp’s Volunteer page and selecting the “Signup for Maintenance“ button. Friday night accommodations are offered by request and meals will begin with breakfast Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. Hope to have you join us!
SKY-HI-VIEW CARPET REMOVE APRIL 30TH – With the new shower and bathroom renovation for the Sky-Hi-View cabin, the excellent opportunity to greatly improve the flooring for the entire cabin presented itself. Before the new vinyl planks in the bathroom and kitchen/entry along with new carpet in the living space and bedrooms can be installed, the deep blue carpet needs to be removed. So come join us for the day of good food to go with a good project. Please sign up on the camp’s Volunteer page and select the “Signup for Maintenance“ button.
MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
| Spring is here! Include service in your plans by joining an MDS project. For any questions or further information, call 800-241-8111 or email volunteer@mds.org. |
| Weekly Volunteer Opportunities Okanogan, WA – 2020 Fires Apr 10-16; up to 4 people Apr 17-23; up to 5 people Apr 24-30; up to 4 people Paradise, CA – 2018 Camp Fire May 1-7; up to 7 people May 8-14; up to 11 people May 22-28; up to 12 people May 29-Jun 4; up to 9 people Jul 10-16; up to 12 people Jul 17-23; up to 12 people Jennings, LA – 2020 Hurricanes May 8-14; up to 14 people May 22-28; up to 12 people May 29-Jun 4; up to 3 people For more information or to serve call 800-241-8111 or email dfrey@mds.orgView Weekly Volunteer OpportunitiesMDS Summer Youth Program There are a few remaining openings for your youth group to serve with MDS this summer! Camp Shiktehawk, NB July 3-9; up to 10 people July 17-23; up to 7 people Grand Lake, CO – 2020 Fire July 3-9; up to 15 people Paradise, CA – 2018 Camp Fire July 3-9; up to 7 people July 10-16; up to 15 people July 17-23; up to 15 people For more information or to serve, please contact: Canadian site: Clara Flores at 866-261-1274 or email cflores@mds.org. U.S. projects: Deanna Frey at 800-241-8111 or email dfrey@mds.orgView Summer Youth Program Opportunities | Leadership Volunteer Opportunities Okanogan, WA – 2020 Fires Head Cook, Apr 23-30 Paradise, CA – 2018 Camp Fire Head Cook, Apr 23-30 Two Crew Leaders, Apr 30-May 21 Three Crew Leaders, May 21-Jun 4 Head Cook, May 21-Jun 4 Assistant Cook, May 21-Jul 2 Construction Supervisor, May 25-Jun 25 Two Crew Leaders, Jun 4-Jul 2 Three Crew Leaders, Jul 2-30 McAllen, Texas – 2018 Flooding Head Cook, May 3-26 Jennings, LA – 2020 Hurricanes Two Crew Leaders, May 4-Jun 4 Crew Leader, May 4-Jun 4 Crew Leader, May 28-Jun 25 Assistant Cook, May 28-Jun 25 Head Cook, Jun 4-11 Two Crew Leaders, Jun 25-Jul 30 Assistant Cook, Jun 25-Jul 30 Office Manager, Jun 25-Jul 30 Head Cook, Jul 2-30 Monte Lake, BC – 2021 White Rock Fire Head Cook, May 28-Jun 4 Two Crew Leaders, May 28-Jul 2 Office Manager, Jun 16-Jul 16 Head Cook, Jun 25-Jul 30 Crew Leader, Jul 2-30 Three Crew Leaders, Jul 30-Sep 3 Project Director, Aug 11-Sep 3 Office Manager, Aug 11-Sep 3 Grand Lake, CO – 2020 Fire Head Cook, Jun 25-Jul 29 Assistant Cook, Jun 25-Jul 29 For more information or to serve, please contact: Canadian residents: Kelsey Friesen at 866-261-1274 or email kfriesen@mds.org U.S. residents: Josh Carson at 800-241-8111 or email jcarson@mds.orgView Leadership Volunteer Opportunities |
| MDS Family Program The MDS Family Program offers a weeklong summertime experience for the whole family to put hands and feet to the gospel. This year, MDS is planning to offer a family project in both the U.S. (Camp Amigo, MI) and Canada (Princeton, BC). |
| Princeton, BC Family Project July 17-23; up to 12 people July 24-30; up to 12 people July 31-Aug 6; up to 12 people Aug 7-13; up to 12 peopleCamp Amigo, MI Family Project July 10-14; up to 8 people July 24-30; up to 12 people |
| For more information or to serve, please contact: Canadian site: Kelsey Friesen at 866-261-1274 or email kfriesen@mds.org. U.S. project: Deanna Frey at 800-241-8111 or email dfrey@mds.org. |
| MDS is hiring! If you want to make a difference and you thrive in an exciting, fast-paced disaster response environment, consider one of our openings at Mennonite Disaster Service. Learn more on our website: https://mds.org/employment/ |
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You are invited to write a Blog for Mennonite Church USA – for information press here
For Mennonite Mission Network Mustard Seeds press here
MENNONITE CHURCH USA ANNOUNCEMENTS
Registration is open for Mennonite Church USA’s Special Session of the Delegate Assembly, May 27-30, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri. The deadline for registration is May 16. The deadline for hotel reservations is May 4. For more information, visit mennoniteusa.org/special-delegate
Record your family’s births, marriages and deaths for free using Mennonite Church USA Archives’ vital records form on the Archives home page here: mennoniteusa.org/historical-archives/
Menno Snapshots
In her blog, “Hope and Growth in the Wilderness,” Alysa Short writes, “I was reminded at Pastors & Leaders | Deep Faith 2022 at AMBS that the wilderness is real. We cannot hide from it. We all encounter it. The road isn’t always easy; it gets rough. But there is an expiration date.” Read more of her reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/hope-growth-wilderness
Menno Snapshots
Erick Josue Martinez shares that “The stories I tell, the moments I experience and the people I meet are not unique to just me. In Mennonite Church USA’s ‘Diversity: God’s Design’ curriculum, I shared different situations that made me feel uncomfortable and excluded.” Read more about his story here: mennoniteusa.org/coexisting-not-enough
Menno Snapshots
In a recent blog, Mark Jantzen, a professor of history at Bethel College, wrote about the numerous connections between the Ukraine and Mennonite Church USA. He wrote the blog while on sabbatical and conducting research in Gdansk, Poland, where he observed the many Ukrainian refugees arriving in Poland. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/connections-ukraine-mc-usa
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: On this Easter Sunday, join Mennonite Mission Network’s 161 workers and 116 partner organizations throughout the United States and in 47 countries around the world in proclaiming the message of Jesus’ resurrection power and love to those you encounter. Pray that each of God’s children will be a faithful witness.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for the good news of resurrection, and for WDC congregations as they bear witness to God’s gift of new life in Christ!
HAPPY EASTER!
Janeen Bertsche Johnson (Director of Campus Ministries; Admission Associate; Development Associate; Alumni Director; Core Adjunct Faculty) from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) joins BCMC for worship this Sunday. Janeen will share about AMBS during the kinship time and offers the morning sermon on this upcoming first Sunday of Lent. The following is from her short biography on the AMBS website.